IGDA Elections – Phil Bourke
February 10th, 2010 by Macguffin in UncategorizedIf you’re coming to this post without having seen the lead-in, you can find that post here. It links to all the other assessments I’ve posted. You can also find my disclaimer there – I’m on the Boston IGDA chapter’s board and support the candidacy of Darius Kazemi.
Update – Mr. Bourke came by in the main thread and answered the questions I had for him. His answers below.
Mr. Bourke, going by his statement and a quick Googling, is an academic in Ireland that teaches game creation at the Tipperary Institute. His candidate statement and Q&A answers leave a number of questions open.
- In answer to the question of how much time he would spend on IGDA matters and how he’d manage that, he says, “I maintain a daily, weekly and monthly task lists under various headings. I hope to be in a position to create a new heading for prioritized IGDA activities.”
This does not actually answer the question, instead substituting stated intent for a firm commitment.
- In his statement he pledges that,”As an IGDA board member I would actively seek to engage and understand the issues facing both members and non-members…”
- And in regards to the biggest issue facing the IGDA he says it is, “Winning the eyes, ears, thumbs and digits of gamers.”
These last two answers betray no knowledge or stance on what many consider the large issues the IGDA has been trying to deal with for the past year and a half – quality of life, large studio closures, and the credibility issues the organization has faced.
Digging into Mr. Bourke’s work experience shows several impressive accomplishments – the Games Fleadh festival he founded looks like a rallying point for Irish game development, and it appears he was a driving force in making that happen. He also seems to be considered a quotable fellow in the area of games and education, but I did not have time to dig into that very much.
Questions and answers for Mr. Bourke:
Can you please answer the question of how much time you would plan to spend on the IGDA, and how much you think is appropriate.
Initially I plan for four to five hours per week for two to three weeks. Post this two to four hours per week – more time for priority issues.
When meeting people from industry and those interested in the games industry – I will also dedicate part of those meetings to representing IGDA.
BTW its currently 21:00 in Ireland, and I’m still working (from 06:00 am) – not the best situation when considering your next question.
What do you think the IGDA’s role in the industry-wide Quality of Life discussions should be?
The IGDA needs to set and update policy for QOL best practice and lobby industry to adopt best practice. Each country has its own industrial relations vehicles and IGDA policy needs to respect those mechanisms. Members and non-members also have a role to play in ensuring the profession is a respected one, both by their employers and the industry in general. No amount of policy will improve things if people accept unacceptable conditions.
What are you bringing to the table here that makes you a better candidate than the other nominees?
I am not in a political party and so feel very comfortable stating the following.
There are 20 excellent candidates and I don’t consider myself better than any of them.
What do I bring to the table – over 20 years experience in working with international organisations.
Do you think the IGDA’s dependence on studio sponsorships for money is a bad thing? If yes, what will you do to begin changing this? If no, why not?
Yes – if the IGDA main modus operandi is solely industrial relations.
No – as the IGDA core values are Community, Professionalism, Expression, Innovation, Impact, Leadership and Fun – through working to improve the lives IGDA members – the industry benefits.
My answer is no.
As the industry is a beneficiary the IGDA is a beneficiary. This symbiotic relationship will only work where there is inclusion that encourages contribution. This can take many forms – financial or benefit in kind (examples include support of community involvement, CPD – continual professional development, supporting attendance at industry events)
Tags: igda
February 12th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I don’t understand Mr. Bourke’s answer to your last question. (As in I can’t parse it.)
February 18th, 2010 at 12:37 am
I like his answer.
He asks a hypothetical: Is the IGDA working toward the betterment of the companies or the people?
If it’s working for the betterment of corporations then relying on their sponsorship could lead to favoring the specific agendas of sponsor companies.
But if the IGDA is working to better the people (hopefully the obvious correct answer), then accepting sponsorship from the companies (we) the people work for is a good thing because it shows that the corporations support the goals the IGDA (should) work toward like better quality of life.